Re: Using % type functions/using RPG IV

["L. S. Russell" <leslier@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> I agree in principle.  I'd love it if we went over to an Open Source
> model; not least because I could then legally post code examples here,
> or at Leslie's site, or elsewhere, which I can't do at the moment.
> However, I can't see it happening soon.

One reason it can't happen soon is that not many of us are willing to
jump in feet first. Many projects once proprietary are now going the
open source route (SCO 8) because it has been proven to work. 
Instead of us all complaining about our ERP write one! Even a partial
package would be a start. 
I understand that you are bound not to contribute but there are others
here without such restrictions. 

We have been talking about a lot of different thing on this list, many
of which have made it into my development in one way or another, I am
sure I am not the only lurker who picks this list apart daily. Form that
type of information sharing it is a small step to the type of openness
seen in the linux world. 

If we share, not just information but techniques, and not just
techniques but the building blocks of those techniques, it cannot but
help us all to be better programmers. Better programmers, better
programs. If we had as half as many resources as the linux guys do I can
guarantee the million dollar ERP's would either be history or be more
supportive of their customer base.

Lets say we all worked on an ERP to rival JDE, and place it on the net
as open source. Whats would this mean for programmers in small shops?
Well there is the potential that they save their company HUGE amounts of
money, thereby making both the AS/400 and themselves gods! 
What about large companies, well they could go into the VAR arena kinda
like red hat has done. The source is free, but the support is expensive
and not only supports such large VARs but in a round about way the open
source movement. 

So what potential lies in open source, stronger programmers, stronger
apps, better support? 

forgive my brain dump.





--
L. S. Russell Programmer/Analyst
Datrek Professional Bags, Inc.
2413 Industrial Drive
Springfield, TN. 37172
mailto:leslier@datrek.com
http://www.datrek.com
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